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Aim To explore the relationship between personal characteristics and smoking initiation among adolescents in Hong Kong. Background Adolescents have been initiating cigarette smoking at an increasing rate in recent years. Preventing tobacco use among young children has become one of the most effective strategies to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco use. Design A cross-sectional study. Methods Secondary students were recruited by convenience sampling from schools in the New Territories of Hong Kong in 2010. Questionnaires were used to collect information relating to their demographic and personal characteristics, including behavioural control, coping styles, sociability, locus of control, rebelliousness, self-esteem, emotional distress, and intention to smoke. Results A total of 644 secondary students were recruited. The prevalence of having ever tried smoking was 19·4% and that of regular smoking was 3·9% among these students. The results of this study show that secondary students who were living in public housing and had lower behavioural control and higher smoking intention were more likely to have tried smoking or to be regular smokers, indicating that these factors contribute to smoking initiation among secondary students. Conclusions The personal characteristics of secondary students do play a role in smoking initiation. Parents and school personnel should work together to help young people to improve their self-esteem and behavioural control and to overcome their rebelliousness. The causes of smoking intention should also be explored to stop young people from picking up their first cigarette.

zeng y.c., liu x. & loke a.y. (2012) Addressing sexuality issues of women with gynaecological cancer: Chinese nurses’ attitudes and practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(2), 280–292. Abstract Aim. This paper reports a study conducted to describe Chinese nurses’ attitudes and practice in addressing the sexuality concerns of people with gynaecological cancer. Background. Women with gynaecological cancer face numerous challenges to their sexuality. The importance of addressing sexuality concerns of people with cancer is emphasized by a growing body of literature in Western countries. Methods. This is a descriptive and correlational study. An inventory was adopted to explore Chinese nurses’ attitudes and practice related to sexuality care in nursing. Data were collected from December 2009 to February 2010. Results. A sample of 202 nurses working in gynaecological units in China was recruited. Study results revealed that the majority (77·7%) held the attitude that ‘sexuality is too private an issue to discuss with patients’. Only 34·2%‘make time to discuss sexual concerns with patients’. Regression analysis revealed that nurse’ marital status and hospital type in which they were working influenced their practice in sexuality care. Nurses’ conservative attitudes towards sexuality, their prejudices about gynaecological cancer, the lack of availability of private environment, the lack of sexuality care training and the failure to include sexuality care in routine nursing care, were found to be factors that significantly influenced sexual care and nursing practice (adjusted R2 = 0·542, P

loke a.y. & wong y.p.i. (2010) Smoking among young children in Hong Kong: influence of parental smoking. Journal of Advanced Nursing 66(12), 2659–2670. Abstract Aims. This paper is a report of a study comparing children with smoking parents and those with non-smoking parents, in terms of knowledge and attitude towards smoking and the influence of parents and peers on smoking initiation. Background. Adolescence is a developmental stage when smoking habits are likely to start. Adolescents are most influenced by the smoking habits of their parents and friends. Method. A cross-section study was conducted with students aged 13–15 years in two schools in 2008, using a questionnaire that collected information on the smoking habits of their parents and peers, knowledge and attitude towards smoking, initiation and inclination towards smoking. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Results. A total of 257 of 575 (44·7%) students had smoking parent(s), and 25·4% reported having peers who smoked. Children with non-smoking parents were more likely than those with smoking parents to consider ‘smoking as disgusting’ (67·3% vs. 45·9%), and to know that ‘smoking is addictive’ (80·5% vs. 70·4%) and ‘harmful to health’ (81·8% vs. 67·7%). More of those with smoking parents had tried smoking than those with non-smoking parents (13·2% vs. 3·8%). Conclusion. Preventive programmes should involve smoking parents to increase their awareness of the impact their smoking has on their children. Interventions should include problem-solving skills for children to deal with daily stresses and thus eradicate the potential risk of smoking initiation.

This paper reports a study conducted to describe Chinese nurses' attitudes and practice in addressing the sexuality concerns of people with gynaecological cancer.Women with gynaecological cancer face numerous challenges to their sexuality. The importance of addressing sexuality concerns of people with cancer is emphasized by a growing body of literature in Western countries.This is a descriptive and correlational study. An inventory was adopted to explore Chinese nurses' attitudes and practice related to sexuality care in nursing. Data were collected from December 2009 to February 2010.A sample of 202 nurses working in gynaecological units in China was recruited. Study results revealed that the majority (77·7%) held the attitude that 'sexuality is too private an issue to discuss with patients'. Only 34·2%'make time to discuss sexual concerns with patients'. Regression analysis revealed that nurse' marital status and hospital type in which they were working influenced their practice in sexuality care. Nurses' conservative attitudes towards sexuality, their prejudices about gynaecological cancer, the lack of availability of private environment, the lack of sexuality care training and the failure to include sexuality care in routine nursing care, were found to be factors that significantly influenced sexual care and nursing practice (adjusted R(2) = 0·542, P0·001).The study findings contribute to the understanding of Chinese nurses' attitudes and practice in addressing the sexuality concerns of people with gynaecological cancer. There is a need to increase Chinese nurses' awareness of their roles and the importance of equipping themselves with relevant skills in sexuality care in nursing practice.

This paper is a report of a study comparing children with smoking parents and those with non-smoking parents, in terms of knowledge and attitude towards smoking and the influence of parents and peers on smoking initiation.Adolescence is a developmental stage when smoking habits are likely to start. Adolescents are most influenced by the smoking habits of their parents and friends.A cross-section study was conducted with students aged 13-15 years in two schools in 2008, using a questionnaire that collected information on the smoking habits of their parents and peers, knowledge and attitude towards smoking, initiation and inclination towards smoking. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data.A total of 257 of 575 (44·7%) students had smoking parent(s), and 25·4% reported having peers who smoked. Children with non-smoking parents were more likely than those with smoking parents to consider 'smoking as disgusting' (67·3% vs. 45·9%), and to know that 'smoking is addictive' (80·5% vs. 70·4%) and 'harmful to health' (81·8% vs. 67·7%). More of those with smoking parents had tried smoking than those with non-smoking parents (13·2% vs. 3·8%).Preventive programmes should involve smoking parents to increase their awareness of the impact their smoking has on their children. Interventions should include problem-solving skills for children to deal with daily stresses and thus eradicate the potential risk of smoking initiation.

Title. Disaster preparedness among Hong Kong nurses Aim. This paper is a report of a survey to explore Hong Kong nurses’ disaster preparedness. Background. Increasingly frequent global disasters are posing threats to human health and life. The World Health Organization has called for countries to have detailed plans at all levels in order to be prepared for disasters that may arise. Method. A questionnaire was distributed to convenience samples of practising Registered Nurses studying in Master’s degree programmes at a Hong Kong university in 2007. Results. Of a possible 174, 164 questionnaires were returned (Response rate 94%). Almost all nurses (97·6%) considered the government health department to be the organization most involved in disastrous situations. The majority (84·8%) were aware of the existence of a protocol on disaster management at their workplace. About one-third would respond in accordance with protocol (38·4%) or rely on directions from their immediate supervisors (34·8%) if a disaster occurred. Almost all the nurses (97%) considered themselves not adequately prepared for disasters. They recognized that a protocol for disaster management (85·4%) and training and drills for disasters (both 84·1%) are useful tools. Conclusion. Nurses in Hong Kong are not adequately prepared for disasters, but are aware of the need for such preparation. Disaster management training should be included in the basic education of nurses.

Aim. The aim of this study was to identify the dietary-related risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis among Hong Kong Chinese people. Background. Prevalence and mortality figures for coronary atherosclerosis are increasing in Chinese communities, including those in Hong Kong. Changes in dietary patterns might explain the increased risk of coronary artery disease among the Hong Kong Chinese. Method. A total of 145 consecutive patients scheduled to have coronary angiogram in a regional hospital in Hong Kong completed a self-reported questionnaire on their dietary intake for 1 week. A case–control design was used, and the data were collected from December 2000 to February 2001. Results. Consumption of more than 1120 g of fish [28 tael (Chinese weight unit, 1 tael equals approximately 42 g)] per week (OR = 0·07) and soybean (OR = 0·17) had a beneficial effect in preventing coronary atherosclerosis. In addition, an increased waist–hip ratio (OR = 4·81) and consumption of more than 28 teaspoons of fat per week (OR = 42·36) were identified by logistic regression as independent risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis. Moreover, people who smoked (OR = 1·72), had a lower educational level (OR = 0·51) or higher family income (OR = 1·92) were more vulnerable to coronary atherosclerosis. Patients confirmed as having coronary atherosclerosis were more likely than those with normal coronary vessels to rank deep fry, stir fry, and pan fry as their preferred cooking methods over steaming or boiling. Conclusion. The results provide nurses with information on which to develop appropriate health education programmes for patients and the general public in Hong Kong to promote cardiovascular health. Efforts should be directed particularly to promoting boiling and steaming as major cooking methods, rather than frying or deep frying, as protective actions against coronary atherosclerosis.

With the increase in HIV infection among childbearing aged women in Hong Kong, health department policy-makers are considering the implementation of antenatal HIV screening to identify infected mothers. However, little is known about women's understanding of HIV/AIDS, and their attitudes towards HIV screening.The aim of this study was to explore pregnant women's knowledge about HIV/AIDS, their perceptions of risk, risk behaviour and management, and their attitudes towards HIV screening.A cross-sectional study was carried out, and all Chinese pregnant women who attended an antenatal clinic of a regional hospital in Hong Kong in the month of December 2000 were invited to complete a questionnaire.Hong Kong pregnant women had fairly good general knowledge of HIV/AIDS (mean score = 4.8/6), but were less knowledgeable on specific mother-to-child HIV transmission (mean score = 3.6/6). There were statistically significant differences between those with different levels of education (chi2 = 19.81; P0.001) and between Hong Kong born residents and immigrants from the Chinese mainland (z = -4.03; P0.001). Over a third (36.7%) of all pregnant women perceived a risk of contracting HIV. If HIV infection were suspected, over 70% would have HIV screening together with their spouse. If HIV was confirmed, 24% would terminate the pregnancy. As many as 78.5% and 72.8% of women believed that HIV screening should be carried out before marriage and pregnancy respectively. Only 4.7% would choose universal opt-out antenatal HIV testing.Health educators should provide tailored-made education programmes for women at risk, particularly those at lower education levels and those who have come from the Chinese mainland, to enhance their knowledge about mother-to-child HIV transmission, and to promote awareness of safe sex. Health policy-makers should consider the possibility of providing pre-marriage and pre-pregnancy HIV screening for women.